Raman Microscope Auto-Focus and Mirror Angle Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Raman microscopes, adjusting the light quantity incident on a slit or pinhole to maximize detection is challenging due to the complexity of determining optimal focal positions and mirror angles.
Innovation Solution
The Raman microscope incorporates an imaging unit, reference position setting processing, determination processing, and angle adjustment processing to capture surface images, set focal positions, determine light quantity, and adjust mirror angles to optimize light incidence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the worker manually adjusts the focal position and mirror angle to maximize light quantity incident on the slit or pinhole, then the light detection capability is improved, but the adjustment process becomes complicated and difficult to determine optimal settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automated feedback system where the imaging unit captures spot position information, the determination processing unit analyzes this information to evaluate light quantity, and the angle adjustment processing unit automatically adjusts the mirror angle based on this feedback. This closed-loop feedback mechanism eliminates the complexity of manual adjustment while maximizing light quantity incident on the slit or pinhole.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment through automated processing units that independently capture images, determine optimal positions, and adjust mirror angles without requiring worker intervention. The determination processing unit and angle adjustment processing unit work autonomously to optimize the optical path, making the adjustment process simple and efficient.
2Measurement precision
If the focal position is changed to maximize light quantity, then the detection sensitivity is improved, but it becomes difficult to determine whether the light quantity meets the optimal criterion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an imaging unit as an intermediary that captures visual information about the laser spot position on the sample surface. This imaging unit serves as a mediator between the optical system and the control system, providing observable spot position information that the determination processing unit can analyze to evaluate whether light quantity meets optimal criteria.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes visual changes in the laser spot appearance captured by the imaging unit to determine optimal focal position. By monitoring changes in spot position, size, and intensity in the captured images, the system can determine when light quantity meets the optimal criterion without requiring complex direct measurements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for easy adjustment of light quantity incident on the slit or pinhole, simplifying the process of optimizing light detection in Raman microscopes.
Implementation Method 1
laser light from the light source is made to incident on a mirror (15), and the light reflected by the mirror (15) is made to irradiate the sample (25)
Implementation Method 2
the focal position of laser light with respect to the sample (25) on the stage (25a) is changed
Implementation Method 3
Raman scattered light from the sample is spectrally dispersed and received by a detector
Data Source
AI summary
A camera captures a surface image of a sample. A reference position setting processing unit changes the focal position of the laser light with respect to the sample on a stage to set the focal position at which a spot area of the laser light on the surface image meets a predetermined first criterion as a reference position. A determination processing unit determines whether or not the light quantity incident on the slit provided in front of the detector meets a predetermined second criterion based on the change in the spot position of the laser light on the surface image by changing the focal position in the depth direction with respect to the reference position. An angle adjustment processing unit adjusts the angle of the mirror when it is determined that the light quantity incident on the slit does not meet the predetermined second criterion.